The annual Hoboken Italian Festival, otherwise known as the Feast of the Madonna dei Martiri, kicks off next Sept. 5, running through Sept. 8 down on River Road.

The procession will take place Saturday, Sept. 9, with fireworks at night.

The festival will include food, games, and music, including a tribute to the band Chicago on Sunday.

And don't miss the tradition – there's a grape stomp that day too!

For more information check out http://www.hobokenitalianfestival.com/html/schedule.htm.

Pier 13 Boating Club and Liberty Humane Society teaming up for adoption event

Need some relief from the post-Labor Day blues? Pier 13 Boating Club and Liberty Humane Society are teaming up for a fun-filled adoption event and fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Liberty Humane will have lots of cute dogs on-hand that afternoon looking for forever homes. All of Liberty Humane’s dogs are up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered so they are ready to jump right into your arms.

If guests can’t adopt right now, they can still help the animals by making a donation at the bar. Generous donations are put toward preparing the animals for adoption and the housing and care they require until their forever family comes along.

Pier 13, located at 1301 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, is Hoboken’s destination for the Shipyard Marina, Sailing School, including purveyors of craft food and beer. Besides getting the chance to meet Liberty’s cute pups, guests can also spend the day enjoying local food trucks, craft beers, and cocktails all while sitting right underneath the beautiful New York City skyline.

All services will take place at the Monroe Center for the Arts, 720 Monroe St., second Floor Theater.

There are no membership fees and Chabad’s services are open to all Jews. Hebrew/English prayer books are provided.

Communal holiday dinner takes place Sept. 4.

There will be a children’s room with books, games, and snacks, and a children’s program for part of the service (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

RSVP's are appreciated especially if you intend to stay for the luncheons.

Officials and race organizers disagree on future of local Grand Prix

West New York Mayor Felix Roque said on Tuesday, Aug. 27, that the proposed Formula One Grand Prix race through the streets of West New York and Weehawken in 2014 has not been canceled.

He said that construction is still ongoing to get the race area ready for next year.

But last Friday, race Chief Executive Officer Bernie Ecclestone said the event's organizers haven't raised enough money to run it.

According to a report on CNN, "The final 2014 calendar will be approved by motorsport's governing body, the FIA, in December, but new races need to have financing in place by now to ensure their plans are on track. It was recently revealed that the Grand Prix of America organizers appointed investment bank UBS in June to raise $100 million, which is required for the race to go ahead. But Ecclestone told CNN that they have run out of time."

However, Grand Prix of America spokesman Alex Howe told CNN that the race is "on track for 2014."

The race was originally to take place this summer, but was postponed until next summer.

Caretakers for relatives with mental illness offered free training

The NAMI of Hudson County Family to Family education program is offering 12-week course for family members and close friends of adults with mental illness on caring for their loved ones.

The course will be held on Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Sept. 9 through Nov. 25, at the Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Ave. Training is free, but registration is required.

The program is taught by trained volunteer family members who are experienced in caring for a loved one with serious mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Family to Family participants will receive information on: family responses to the trauma of mental illness; updates on several serious mental illnesses; and symptoms, medication and side effects.

Attendees will also practice problem solving skills and communication techniques; develop strategies for handling crisis and relapses; review local community resources; and support, and focus on self-care and coping with stress.

To register, call (201) 420-9270 or email namihudson@msn.com.

Super Bowl ‘on wheels’: Garden State’s game first to host mobile tour

The Super Bowl being held in New Jersey on Feb. 2 is leading to another premier for the famed athletic contest: the first road show associated with the big game, officials said Aug. 22.

The New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee announced the launch of its “Join the Huddle” mobile tour, which they said will travel throughout New Jersey and New York and make about 50 stops over the next five months.

“The tour design is unique to our area, with a tribute to hometown hero Vince Lombardi and both home teams: the New York football Giants and the New York Jets,” said Alfred F. Kelly Jr., president and chief executive officer of the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee.

The customized vehicle is 64 feet by 8 feet and weighs 14,000 pounds, according to the committee, and will carry “a unique game-day experience for residents and fans.”

Locations are expected to include Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties. For more information, visit www.jointhehuddletour.com.